Historical information

Notes from a previous collection coordinator indicate that Miss Lucy Musselwhite (Lillywhite) opened the hospital in 1914 and Matron Eliza Tank took it over in 1921 and named it Nethercourt Private Hospital. However recent research suggests that Miss Musselwhite (name confirmed) moved from Tooronga to Wilson Street some time between 1903 and 1909. She and her mother Elizabeth are listed in the 1909 electoral rolls in Wilson Street and Lucy's occupation is given as nurse. (It is of course possible that the property was a residence only at this time and later opened as a private hospital.) The name Nethercourt was used prior to Matron Eliza Tank taking over. Her daughter Irene was also a nurse at Nethercourt.
Lucy Musselwhite was born in 1873 in Hampshire. She married Henry James Dore in later life and lived in Brenbeal Street, Balwyn. She died in 1955.
In 1930 / 1935 Matron Tank transferred the hospital to 219-223 Union Road. Later it was known as Norwich Hall / St Jude's. Mosgiel Hospital in Mont Albert Road also opened in 1924. After this time home births became less common. Nethercourt Hospital closed in the 1960s.

Significance

Small hospitals such as this one were primarily used for midwifery, preceding the development of larger centralised general hospitals.

Physical description

Black and white photo of Nethercourt Private Hospital at 11 Wilson Street in c 1924 taken from the street in winter. The building is Victorian in style; block-fronted with lacework detail to the verandah and has 2 chimneys. It is set behind a wooden picket fence behind which is a well-manicured hedge which appears to have been grown across the front entrance gate.